Armored Formations Defend Their Place in Modern Warfare
U.S. Army armored formations remain viable on the modern battlefield despite the proliferation of drones and precision-guided weapons. James Casey, and Capt. Elijah Leroux.
The piece pushes back against years of military debate over whether traditional armor still has a place in large-scale combat operations. It addresses a contentious environment characterized by sensors, precision long-range fires, and integrated command and control networks.
Weighing Lessons From Recent Conflicts
Critics of armor often point to recent historical conflicts to argue that maneuver warfare is no longer viable.
The authors highlight several operations that have fueled these claims:
- The 2006 Hezbollah-Israeli War
- The 2017 Battle for Mosul
- The 2020 Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
- The 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive against the Surovikin Line
Surviving the Modern Reconnaissance-Strike Complex
While acknowledging that combined arms maneuver faces severe contemporary hurdles, the authors argue that these challenges are not insurmountable.
Armor retains a specific capability. When operating as part of a joint, combined arms team, it survives dense adversary reconnaissance-strike complexes, pierces prepared enemy defenses, and pushes deep into vulnerable rear areas.
Two Primary Obstacles to Positional Warfare
The West Point essay identifies two primary obstacles contributing to the positional nature of modern warfare.
The first is an inherent function of large-scale combat operations against a peer adversary. The sheer scope and scale of forces limit offensive maneuver. Peer adversaries field ground armies capable of manning continuous defensive positions in deep formations, increasing the risk that an attacking force will culminate before exploiting a breakthrough.
The second, newer challenge involves the integration of pervasive sensors and long-range precision fires into enemy reconnaissance-strike complexes. Historically, air-ground coordination allowed friendly forces to penetrate prepared defenses without facing heavy enemy air strikes, while also protecting the extensive logistical tail required for sustained advances. As adversaries increasingly contest the airspace and bypass traditional air-control capabilities, the future viability of ground maneuver faces mounting pressure.
Sustaining the Army’s Transformation Momentum
Despite these obstacles, the authors maintain that the fundamental value proposition of U.S. Army armored formations has not changed.
The Army’s armor branch is currently driving the transformation of combined arms formations to address modern warfare challenges. However, its ultimate viability will depend on sustaining the momentum of that transformation.
